Xyrus's cell mate looked B hungry and cranky. It wasn’t a good combination. He wasn’t sure he was going to be able to fight them off should they attack.He’d chosen not to eat the slop they tried to serve for dinner or breakfast and was feeling a little shaky. His lack of food combined with no sleep left him vulnerable. He had a feeling he’d end up in the infirmary or the morgue if someone didn’t show up soon.“Ashington," a guard called out his name.Xyrus moved his head, not bothering to get up. “What?”“You’re out of here.”That got him moving. He stood and walked to the cell, trying his best to play it cool, not wanting to look too excited. The guard opened the cell and led him down a corridor where he was given his personal property back. He didn’t bother checking to see if it was all there. He signed the paper and made his escape to freedom.When he stepped into the lobby, he saw Akira immediately. She jumped up and raced towards him, followed by what he assumed was his
It had been quiet since the day at the bakery.Lana was cautiously optimistic that her estranged husband had finally realized she had someone in her life willing to fight for her. She wasn’t so easy to attack and abuse now. At least, that’s what she hoped was happening. She’d taken it upon herself to start stalking him, reversing the tables a little. She checked the court dockets daily, called his office to see if he was in using payphones to avoid her number being traced. It seemed like Danny had gone back to his life without missing a beat. She’d even gotten brave enough to call his cell phone on one occasion. When he answered, she used a fake accent and pretended to have dialed the wrong number. He was back in California and that was the best news she had ever heard. Danny hadn’t pressed the issue of having Xyrus charged for assault, which initially alarmed Lana at she assumed it would be more of an embarrassment.Danny prided himself on being a big tough guy and to have got
Their afternoon delight had left him feeling very content. They were lying in her bed, no sheets to cover their nudity. He was comfortable in his own skin, but found women tended to be a little more modest. Lana had been at first, but the signing of the divorce papers had released her inner wild woman. He noticed the difference in the way she walked, holding her head high, with her shoulders back. He was glad to be a part of the change and hoped to continue to support her as she put Danny behind her. He wasn’t naïve enough to think she would suddenly be over it. There had to be long-term side effects to the abuse she endured. It would take time for her to stop looking over her shoulder all the time and to truly feel as if she could settle down and relax. “Thank you,” she said, her warm breath brushing over his chest. He grinned. “Did you seriously just thank me for sex? Because if you did, you’re welcome, but a thank you isn’t necessary. It is I who should be thanking you.”Her
Lana Reign Buena Ford took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, and slightly chilly air through her nose. She smiled. She was alive and on her way to being divorced from her abusive husband. Danny Buena Ford thought she was too afraid to actually do it. He thought he could keep her scared and under his thumb, but she had proven him wrong and she planned to stand her ground. He wasn’t going to bully her into changing her mind about the divorce. It was as good as done in her mind. She turned to smile at the man walking beside her as they headed towards the stairs that would take them to her second-floor apartment. “You look happy,” Xyrus said, leaning down to kiss her nose. “I am happy. Thank you so much for everything. Without you, I could have never done this,” she said, climbing the stairs. “I’m glad you agreed to take Laura’s help. She is an excellent attorney. Your asshole husband has met his match with her,” he grumbled. She giggled softly as she nodded her head in agreem
Akira Montereal strolled to his office, a file folder tucked under one arm with a coffee in her other hand. He watched her, studying her and grinned. “What are you grinning at?” she asked, looking down at her blouse.“You.”“Why? Am I unzipped? Do I have something in my teeth? Why are you looking at me like that?”He shook his head, laughing. “None of the above. You look different—happy.”She blushed and set the coffee down in front of him.“Drink your coffee. You’re delirious.”“No, I’m not, and thank you by the way.”“You’re welcome. How did it go on Friday?” she asked, setting the file on the desk before taking the seat across from his desk.He took a sip of the hot coffee, nodding his head. “It went very well. I was a little worried she would back out, but she did it. She signed and seemed to be very happy about it. We spent the weekend celebrating,” he said with a smile.Akira was grinning. “Good. I’m glad.”“You’re happy,” he repeated.“I’m always happy.”He shook his head.
She studied his features and could see he was truly sorry. It made no sense to her.“Xy, why are you sorry?”“Because, I cost you your job.”Her head slowly moved back and forth. “You didn’t cost me my job. Danny storming in there and causing a scene was wrong. He had scared everyone long before you arrived. Please don’t be sorry. It isn’t your fault in any way. I’m so grateful that you showed up when you did. It could have ended very differently for me.”“I wish there was something I could do. I can help you look for a job,” he volunteered.She smiled and leaned forward, giving him a soft, warm kiss. “You’re too good to be true,” she whispered.“I’m real and I’m yours.”She couldn’t stop smiling. He was a dream come true. He was too good. How had the man remained single for so long? The women of the world had no idea what they were missing out on. She had no intention of ever letting them find out.“I’m glad we met. I know I wasn’t the friendliest person in the world those first
Waking up with Lana would never get old. Her back was to him as he curled around her, protecting her as she slept. She’d come home with him last night after a night out together. He loved their sleepovers and only wished they could make it a more regular thing, as in she moved in with him. He knew she loved her place, but his afforded them a lot more room, privacy and most importantly, security. He always felt like they were exposed at her place. Anyone could walk up to her front door and knock. He wanted to be able to protect her and the high fence and gate around his place seemed much more conducive to keeping Danny and other bad guys out. She moaned softly. “You’re awake.”He kissed her bare shoulder. “I am.”“You get up so early.”He laughed. “You’re usually the first one up.”“Now that I don’t have a job, there’s no reason to get out of bed before seven.”He kissed her shoulder, moving her hair away from her neck and kissed her there. “I can give you a very good reason to ge
“Are you out there? " Akira asked as he stepped out of his office. “I am, unless you need me for something else?” he said, pausing at her desk. She shook her head. “Nope. I’m about ready to leave myself. I think this day should be noted on the calendar, we are both out of here by five.”He chuckled. “Do you have a hot date tonight?” “No, I don’t. I have a date with my TV. I have some catching up to do on my favorite shows before all the fall premieres start. I’ve neglected my shows.”He threw his head back and laughed. “I don’t think they’ll notice. It’s called having a life and dating.”“Maybe, but I’m fully invested in the lives of my favorite characters,” she quipped. “Got it. Well, have a fun night watching TV,” he said with a grimace. “Oh, I suppose you have a hot date?”He shrugged a shoulder. “I am going to dinner with Lana and she’s always hot, so I suppose you could say I have a hot date.”“You are so sprung. If I knew how to do the whip sound, that would be inserted